Perception - Something To Think About .....

[debris4spike]

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

~~~

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing?

Comments

[sarian71]

I absolutely LOVED this post! It definitely gave food for thought.
*puts to memories*

[debris4spike]

It is truly astounding - yet, how often do we all do that?

Makes you think.

[rivertempest.livejournal.com]

I was fortunate enough to be in DC in 2007 (my in-laws live there) and went through Metro Station. I wish I could've been there... I would've made my husband stop and sit to listen for the whole 45 mins.

I was in Penzance in 2001 and an artist was playing the guitar outside one of the local tea houses and I stood listening to him for well over half an hour. My friend thought I'd lost my mind when I gave him a 10 pound note. I love street artists and will often pay what I have in my pocket to help them.

This was awesome, thank for posting it!

[debris4spike]

Some of these performers are amazing - although I used to walk past one every day when I was at college and I only ever heard him attempting to tune his guitar - I do wonder if he could play - LOL

But, on the other hand, some have delayed me, as I stop to listen ... relax and enjoy a minute of peace in a busy day.

[colored-leaves.livejournal.com]

Very thought provoking and very true. Thanks for posting this Deb. God Bless!

[debris4spike]

It is truly astounding - yet, how often do we all do that?

Makes you think.

[shinybaum.livejournal.com]

I always stop and listen to buskers, they're the best music ever. Makes me late a lot of the time.

[debris4spike]

Some of these performers are amazing - although I used to walk past one every day when I was at college and I only ever heard him attempting to tune his guitar - I do wonder if he could play - LOL

But, on the other hand, some have delayed me, as I stop to listen ... relax and enjoy a minute of peace in a busy day.

[debris4spike]

OH YES!!! Antique instruments - especially violins and cellos by Stadavarius (?sp) are very pricey.

My friend has just bought a new oboe - £6,000 - so one with history ... anything is possible!

[jaded-jamie.livejournal.com]

WOW! I've read other studies that would seem to suggest, we only appreciate what we expect to enjoy, before we even experience it. :)

Mankind is messed up :)

[debris4spike]

Yes, us humans are a very sad bunch of people!! It is truly astounding what we miss out on in life, and how often do we all do it?

Makes you think.

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

Wow. Thank you for sharing this unique story.It tells something about the world, isn't it?

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing? Sadly, I believe many , many people miss things worth their time during their lives.
It's a gift to be able to notice grace and beauty. Not a lot of people do.

[debris4spike]

It is so sad how often we miss what is around us ... just because we don't truly open our eyes, ears, heart to see the surroundings.

I must take time to pause more in a day.